Improvement in steam-washers



1. uAvxs.

Steam-Washers.

Patented Apr|1,1878.

' INVENTOR Nrrnn STAT-Es PATENT rrron t JACOB DAVIS, OF FLORIDA, MASSACHUSETTS,

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM-WASHERS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,22 6, dated Arrll l, 1873; application tiled February 5, 1873.

l'o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JACOB Dnvrs, of Florida, in the county of Berkshire and State of however, is somewhat different from that described in the said Letters Patent, and this invention is intended as an improvement upon that shown in the Letters Patent above named.

My invention can be used in connection with any vessel ot' any kind, whether large or small, provided it is water-tight. Perhaps a common boiler, such as is commonly used for boiling clot-hes, is a-s convenient as anything, although any other suitable vessel may be used.

The nature of my device is fully described below.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is a plan of the bottom of an ordinary vessel, which is fitted up especially for the accommodation of my steam-washer, as below described. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of my washer, and of the said vessel into which it is placed. Fig. 3 is a plan oi' the steam-washer apart from the vessel into which it is set.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The steam-washer represented in the drawing is what might be called a double washer, and is so constructed and represented in order to show certain parts more plainly, and also to exhibit certa-in variations in its construction.

a represents a common vessel, in to which my washer tightly tits. Any other vessel can be used provided it be water-tight and the washer ts into it. The vessel a is no part of my invention. a is the bottom of the vessel. a is the cover of the same.

or soap-stone, or other suitable material, laid around the sides and ends 'and across the center ot' the lower portion ot' the vessel, dividln g b is a strip of steatite it into two parts. The rim and dividing-pan tition ot the washer rest upon this support b, when desired, and more especially when heat is communicated to the washer by means ot steam or hotwater pipes. However, the support b may not always be used, even in the case of the use ofthe said pipes; but the rim may be made wider and cut to tit over the pipes holding steam and hot water. c represents a pipe bringing steam into the space beneath the washer and above the bottom a ot' the vessel a. The steam enters through the pipe c, and passes out under the washer, in this instance in four parts, through the pipes c c. d represents a steam or hot-water pipe, which enters `the space beneath the washer,

and, passing around in different directions,`

heats the water in the said space, and then passes out without emptying its contents into the space below the washer. cock, to be used in drawing oit' the water. fis the inclined bottom ofthe washer, the highest parts being nearest the iues. h is an upright, or nearly upright, plate, ot' which there are six in the drawing, which, when closed at the top, forms three ues, and a perpendicular dividing-partition divides the center fine into two parts, making four in all. Near the highest point in the plates, and in those portions which face the interior of lthe vessel holding the washer, are perforations opening into the vessel. llubes, shorter or longer, may be used instead of mere perforations, it' desired. The plate or plates h form iues k, which are usually made to conform in shape to the vessel into which they are titted, being hat or rounded, or of any other desired shape. L is a. plate, extending entirely across the washer, made a little wider than the space between different parts of the bottom f. rlhis space also extends entirely across the washer. The plate l may be a plain whole plate, or a perforated one, or it may be entirely made or wire-netting, in which latterV case it might rest partially upon the bottom j'. One ot' the plates Z shown in the drawing is hinged and hooked down for reasons which will be explained below. The other is fixed to the rim g at each end. The rim o extends entirely around the washer, supporting it, and resting upon the steatite 3pport b. Then the support b is not placed in e is an ordinary the vessel a the rim g rests upon and fits tightly to the bottom a. .The plates Z are mainly supported by the perpendicular plates l', which extend entirely across the vessel a, itting to the bottom af, when the support b is removed, and, with the dividing-plate hl, separating the space between the bottoms f and a into four portions or chambers. m is a swinging valve, hung from the plate l', and preventing the water from pushing up under the clothes between the plate l and bottom f, while it allows the descending water to flow down a-nd back. n is a guard-plate, intended to prevent the water from overheating the bottom f, and thus cause the water above the bottom j' to boil.A In practical operation my improved washer operates as follows: Upon applying the hea-t by the pipes c c c or pipe d, or merely by placing the vessel a with the washer inside upon a heating apparatus of any kind, the water below the bottom f heats and soon boils. When rapid boiling com niences' the hot water is forced u p the vertical passages or iiues 7c, "and spurts out with considerable force through the holes or tubes in the plates h upon the clothes in the interior otl the vessel a.; then, rapidly passing through the clothes, it passes down, opening the valve m, and isforced back into the ues k, and thus a continuous circulation of water goes on, there being no obstruct-ion to the low oi' the water, and the clothes are soon washed.

Let it be understood that the clothes are not boiled-the boiling all proceeds under the bottom f also, that they are not cleansed by steam, excepting in the sense that steam may act as a motive power. They are cleansed by a freely-circulatin g volume of hot water, and they come into contact with nothing else.

Here may be more fully explained the operation of the guard-plate n. If it were not for this plate n the bottom f might become so heated that the water upon the upper side would commence to boil; this would tend to neutralize the power of the boiling water under the bottom f; hence the guard-plate n is interposed between the bottom fand the source of heat.

In lorder to increase the inclination of the bottom f, corrugations may be placed in it, as seen in Fig. 3, thus adding velocity to the water as it is forced into the dues k.

In order that the washer may be placed into a vessel having upper edges projecting inwardly, it may be hinged (see Fig. 2) by means of the rim g, the plate l also being hinged, as above remarked.

The washer may be made of any material, and in some cases a rim may be unnecessary.

It will'be seen by reference to the drawing that there are two places or receptacles for clothes and four dues. As many, more or less, iues may be used as may be desired, depending on the size of the vessel into which a washer is placed. As each tlue with its attachments is a complete washer, there are, in reality, four distinct washers shown in the drawing.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as my invention, and as my improvement over the Letters Patent above referred to, is

l. The arrangement ci' the hinged rim g and hinged plate Z, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore speciiied.

2. The guard-plate In, when combined with the bottom j', constructed substantially as above described.

3. The arrangement of the valve m with the plate l and bottom j', as and for the purposeY above set forth.

4. The corrugated bottom j" f', arranged in combination with plate hand iine k, as above specified.

5. The arrailgement of the ,steam-washer above described withthe support b and pipes o o c, and also with the pipe d, for the purpose of using steam or hot water as a heater or for motive power, as specitied above.

JACOB DAVIS. Witnesses:

HENRY W. WILLmMs, DAVID J. BUTLER. 

